Former West Australian galloper First Among Equals has broken through for his first win on the eastern seaboard with a hard-fought win at Flemington.
First Among Equals had won 11 of his 27 starts in Perth before transferring to the Warrnambool base of Darren Weir.
Ridden by Michael Dee, First Among Equals ($6.50) scored by a length from Divine Quality ($5.50) with Knowable ($61) a half-neck away third.
Saturday’s victory in The Straight Six came at the gelding’s sixth outing for Weir and after having had two starts for the trainer last spring before a spell.
He returned to finish last at Mornington in March before two midfield finishes behind Sprightly Lass in stakes races at Caulfield and Morphettville.
Saturday’s victory was his fourth at Listed level.
With Weir in Adelaide for Saturday’s Goodwood meeting, Jarrod McLean, in charge of his Warrnambool operation, said First Among Equals was another nice addition from the west.
“Weiry will probably progress through this winter sprint series and end up here in the final in July,” McLean said.
“He’s a nice addition and we’ll be looking to him in the spring but I certainly think we’re training him a bit better this prep.
“He’s certainly a nice horse going forward.”
McLean said it was perfect ride from Dee after the gelding was possibly ridden too close at his last start when sixth in the D C McKay Stakes.
“The race mapped well for him and it was a good ride from Mick,” McLean said.
“Ridden in the second half of the field, chiming in late, that’s usually best for him.”
